Tuesday 29 May 2012

"Jeu de Tarot"

Jeu de tarot- 78c

Another version of the french tarot, somtims called the " Bourgeois Tarot"  or "tarot nouveau "
It was very probably intended for the lower end of the market, ( it is printed on a lower quality of card), The fact that I found it in a paris supermarket is evdience enough for the popularity of the game in france.
compare http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2012/02/french-tarot-grimand-part-i.html
and  http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2012/02/french-tarot-grimand-part-ii.html for a deck by Grimaud.      
Note the fact that the maker's name is printed on the ace of spades. Normally, the name would be on the ace of clubs. Go figure







Thursday 17 May 2012

Kaffehaus Tarock ( Piatnik)

Kaffehaus Tarock ( Piatnik)- 54c.

 In my opinion, this deck is probably the most beautiful of all the tarock decks, with it's colourful illustrations. ( compare http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2012/02/tarock-ass.html)
The deck is slightly larger than normal tarock decks.Otherwise, it is identical to the standard versions.

I shall leave the pictures to tell the rest of the story.








Sunday 6 May 2012

William tell / Viennese large crown pattern ( Piatnik)

William tell / Viennese large crown pattern ( Piatnik) - 36c.

The following deck is a very curious deck. It is comprised of 2 patterns of playing cards, the Viennese large crown, and the William tell pattern, one at each end of the card . I like to call such decks "Janus"decks.

 The motivation for producing such chimeras , is that in some countries, like Austria, card-players use two diffrent types of playing cards, which are completely diffrent from one another. Therefore , as a comprmise, makers sometimes print such decks, with one type of card at one end, and the other at the other end. Therefore, the dispute is settled.
 Also note that this deck has 6s. Normaly, Austrian large crown decks do not have 6s.




Here are the number cards of the deck. Note the decoration on the german suited side, which is     copied faithfuly!



Here is the same deck, with the french suited side facing upwards

see also;
and

Wednesday 2 May 2012

Milanese/Lombardy pattern ( AG Müller)

Milanese /Lombardy pattern, AG Müller, 40c.

 This pattern , also known as the Lombardy pattern is used Not only in Italy, but also in the canton of Ticino in switzerland. Being close to Italy, (and indeed, was once ruled by it), It naturaly took up the playing cards of it's rulers. (see ; http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/10/lombarde-lombardy-pattern.html)
 The playing cards shown here do not differ much from their Italian counterparts, save for one curious feature : The addition of indices to the cards. The courts also have their name spelled out on their sides. ( viz, re, regnia  and fante)